CONCORD - Following passage of SB 152 by a 4-1 vote in the Senate Ways & Means Committee, Gov. Maggie Hassan released the following statement:

"I applaud the Senate Ways & Means Committee for advancing legislation that will allow New Hampshire to develop our own plan for one high-end, highly regulated casino in order to invest in the priorities that are critical for creating jobs and building a more innovative economic future. We must restore devastating cuts to higher education, mental health, public safety and other priorities in order to attract the innovative businesses and good jobs of the 21st century economy.

"With Massachusetts moving forward with casino gambling, New Hampshire stands to lose $75 million per year if we fail to act. The true risk we all face is the risk of letting our economy fall behind and allowing the good jobs and growing businesses of the innovation economy to develop elsewhere. I thank Sen. D'Allesandro and Sen. Morse for their work and encourage the full Senate to approve this measure and help invest in the priorities needed to build a stronger, more innovative New Hampshire."